Cop killed in failed bank raid

He was a very popular member of An Garda Siochana, a very efficient member, someone who was revered.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan

Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot in the head without warning as he approached a suspicious vehicle on foot.

Police confirmed yesterday that he had no chance to pull his gun.

The 41-year-old was trying to stop raiders at a branch of Credit Union near Dundalk, Co Louth.

It is understood the four men were waiting outside the building at Lordship, a townland in Jenkinstown, outside Dundalk.

The branch stays open late on Fridays.

He came from a family of gardai. His widow, two brothers, and a member of his extended family are in the force.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan said the entire force had been deeply shocked and saddened by the murder, the first of a serving officer in 17 years.

Commissioner Callinan said: “He was a very popular member of An Garda Siochana, a very efficient member, someone who was revered.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the murder was an outrageous and appalling act of “cold blooded violence”.

He said: “(It) has left a family without a husband and father and the Garda Siochana without a brave and valued member.”

A police cordon was still in place around the crime scene yesterday. Forensics officers were also there.

It is understood Det Garda Donohoe approached the gang and a number of shots were fired before they fled in a grey Volkswagen Passat.

He was pronounced dead a short while later. His colleague was not hurt.

Commissioner Callinan said every effort would be made to bring the gang to justice.

He said: “Resources will not be an issue. We will put all our energy towards finding out precisely who was behind this robbery. It’s too early to speculate whether there was a subversive element to this or whether they are ordinary criminals.”

Joe Crawley, 34, who lives near the murder scene, said: “It is just shocking. I am angered, disgusted and saddened. It was totally unnecessary.”

He was the first garda killed on a cash escort since Det Garda Jerry McCabe was murdered by the Provisional IRA in Adare, Co Limerick, in June 1996.